MVP16 wrote:billfromBoston wrote:MVP16 wrote:If AI would come here for the MLE that's a no brainer IMO. He would come in knowing that he is down the food chain with the big 3 already here so the only purpose would be to get a ring. Minutes wouldn't be too big of a problem since we would try to conserve Ray, Pierce, AI during the regular season. Each could average around 28-30 minutes/game and with the amount of minutes they have played during their careers, they would welcome that. I think that's one of the reasons why DA didn't sign Posey to a long term contract...he knew there is chance that we could land someone like AI (or some other older star) for the MLE in the next 1-2 years. But if AI is willing to take the MLE to sign with a contender, everyone will be offering him that so the chances would be slim.
...not true...if Iverson is looking for a contender, than it doesn't matter how many teams can offer the MLE...there are only 2-3 teams that fit the criteria of high probability title contender-Celtics have to be number 1 in that scenario with 3 HoFers already on the roster...i'd say that IF Iverson is down with the MLE, we are a likely destination...
But you have to consider that Iverson would think that if you add him to a really good team, that they would become a contender. Philadelphia, for example, is not a contender right now IMO. But if AI joins(and a year of development of their young players), he can be the one who can push them over the top. Others who are contenders or can become contenders adding AI next year are San Antonio, Lakers, New Orleans, Utah, Detroit, Cleveland, Orlando and Houston. That's 9 teams not including us that are contenders or could become one adding AI. And going to a team that is he can push over the top rather then joining one of the elite teams might be more intriguing to him since he would get a bigger role and more credit.
I think its completely valid that he'd weigh the team based on his role as well as its potential to contend...I can't read Iverson's mind, but I don't view Orlando and Philly as "high probabiliy" contenders, even with Iverson...Utah, Detroit, LA all have more scoring in front of him, so he'd be less necissary offensively which he may not like...NO, SA, BOS, CLE seem like the best destinations...I think that CLE/BOS get the edge because of the paucity of true competition in the East relative to the West...no matter if Philly, Tor or anyone else improved, they are still below Boston for the next couple of seasons...
I think it comes down to Cleveland and Boston...Cleveland would let Iverson be himself-starter, 2nd scorer behind Lebron, etc...he may enjoy that more than being the 6th man on Boston...however, Boston with Iverson completely trumps anyone else in the East, so choosing Boston almost guarentees a trip to the finals for him each year. Picking Cleveland may put them over the top, but the road would still be rocky...depends on if he likes a challenge or a sure-thing...
I do think that Iverson could easily see 30-35 minutes a night on Boston though...figure Rondo in for 30 minutes, Ray Allen in for 30-33, and that leaves 33-36 minutes at the 1 and 2. These minutes would see Iverson as a principle scorer/ball-handler as one of Rondo/Ray would be out when he was in...this is right in his wheelhouse...
It is Danny's job to sell Iverson on the scenario I laid out above-but that's what he excels at...I think there is a great chance IF the interest is there by both parties...
